Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This matter relates to Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, DEIS, status for Scoil Mhuire gan Smál in Carlow town. The response will mention the number of schools, including in my constituency, that entered the DEIS system, which is welcome. However, this school's situation is unique in that it is literally adjoining St. Joseph's National School, which was granted DEIS 1 status in the recent round. The two schools are identical in respect of criteria set out for eligibility and share a campus. Pupils in both schools come from the same socioeconomic area and, in many cases, the same families. The only difference is the gender of the schools. One is for boys and one is for girls.

St. Joseph's DEIS band 1 status is needed and welcome and I am not trying to take away from that, but it is a boys' school and the girls' school has missed out. The optics of that are not good. The only difference we see between the two schools is gender. I welcome the opportunity to hear what the position is. I appeal to the Minister, whom I know the school has been in contact with. If we send on the information, can this be examined or appealed? It seems unusual, particularly given that they share a campus. It is difficult for pupils, parents, teachers and everyone involved to see how one school qualified and the other missed out. I welcome whatever the Minister has to say on this.

See this speech in context